"He Will Be Ready For Ashes": Mark Wood Backs Jofra Archer's Fitness For England's Clash Against Australia 2023
Jofra Archer last played a Test in 2021 [Source: Twitter]
The much-hyped 'The Ashes 2023' is just a month away, and will witness arch-rivals England and Australia clash for the coveted urn, which is currently in possession of Pat Cummins and Co. Australia beat England in The Ashes 2021-22 4-0 Down Under, which the Ben Stokes-led side will look to avenge in their own backyard this time.
However, England's main worry is the availability of pacer Jofra Archer, who is their prime bowler in home conditions. Archer, who last played a Test in 2021, has been troubled by back and elbow injuries, and only recently made his comeback into the England white-ball side on the Bangladesh tour.
Speaking to Sky Sports, fellow pacer Mark Wood has instilled confidence in Archer that the champion bowler will be fit and raring to go against Australia in The Ashes 2023.
Here's what Wood said
"I feel for Jofra actually and I can sympathize with him quite a bit there. You feel like you're just getting back and then you have a little setback and things happen. He's a champion player and I'm sure he'll come back and be a champion again.
He has overcome bigger things and I'm sure that he will be ready for the Ashes. He'll get great treatment there in Mumbai and England will look after him so that, come the Ashes, he will be mentally and physically ready,”
Wood, who is currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), admitted that Australia are a world-class side and that the upcoming series will be a great spectacle.
The 28-year-old claimed 22 wickets the last time Australia toured England for a five-Test series in 2019.
Archer, who too, is featuring for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL, has played just two matches this season, while missing five owing to 'little niggle'.
The first Test gets underway at Edgbaston on June 16.
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